France forbids massive climate march in wake of Paris attacks

Valls told Reuters that in addition to the summit’s original objective of combating climate change, it would also now serve as an opportunity for world leaders to show their solidarity with France after the attacks.

“Around the world, marches, demonstrations, and civil disobedience are all planned for the weeks and months ahead”, Mr Haeringer said. And the question is, how will we adapt to this new context and situation?

However the French Government has issued a statement saying it would not authorize the marches “in order to avoid additional risks” in the wake of last week’s terror attacks. “With my colleagues, at the French Embassy, we wanted to thank you all for the efforts you put in preparing this COP 21 from Pakistan”.

Alix Mazounie, global policy coordinator for RAC France, a coalition of 16 associations working on climate change, said organizers were concerned about people’s safety and had pushed hard to find an alternative way of holding the marches – for example, inside a stadium.

“Our voices will not be silenced”.

“Nothing should be done that could endanger, including by crowd movements, the people who come to Paris”.

They have had to rethink their plans following attacks by militant Islamists in Paris last Friday that killed 129 people. There’s never been a greater need.

Security concerns also may prevent climate activists from staging a massive march like the one in New York City previous year, in which hundreds of thousands of ordinary people could demonstrate widespread support for curbing carbon emissions and fighting global warming. Together, we will continue to stand against violence and hatred with our peace and resolve.

“We’re still waiting for the French authorities to tell us if they think the march in Paris, and other mobilization moments around the climate talks, can be made safe and secure”, said Jean-François Julliard, Executive Director for Greenpeace in France, according to a statement. On Tuesday, environmental groups will meet French authorities to make plans to move ahead of the conference.

President Barack Obama and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker both said they will attend the Paris climate talks on November 30, joining about 196 heads of state and other government officials for opening speeches to kick off the two-week event.